A 'Doing Business As' (DBA), also known as a fictitious name or trade name, allows a business to operate under a name different from its legal name. This is common for sole proprietors and partnerships wanting to use a brand name, or for LLCs and corporations adding a new service line. When considering a DBA, a frequent question arises: Does a DBA need its own Employer Identification Number (EIN), also called a Federal Tax Identification Number? The short answer is typically no, a DBA itself does not get its own EIN. An EIN is issued to a legal business entity by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Since a DBA is not a separate legal entity, it doesn't qualify for its own EIN. Instead, the DBA uses the EIN of the underlying legal entity that owns it. This is a crucial distinction for understanding tax obligations and business operations in the United States.
Start your formation with Lovie — $29/month, everything included.